By: Sean Crose
Just after an exceedingly spectacular efficiency in opposition to Josh Taylor, WBO and lineal junior welterweight titlist Teofimo Lopez has introduced his retirement. Whether the proficient, eccentric Lopez will stay retired stays to be seen, however the announcement, which comes courtesy of Instagram, is nothing if not newsworthy. “What a relief!” he acknowledged, alongside an image of himself as a toddler alongside his father. “Retired at the Top. Thank you Boxing for the amazing life you’ve provided for myself and my entire loved ones.” Lopez additionally advised This Just In of his plans on Monday. As issues stand, the 25 yr previous Lopez holds a document of 20 wins in opposition to a single loss.
One factor stays sure, Lopez clearly redeemed himself on Saturday evening after having a troublesome few years for himself as a excessive degree skilled fighter. After stunning lots of people some time again by profitable quite a few light-weight titles off the legendary Vasyl Lomachenko, Lopez proceeded to get knocked off his throne by George Kambosos in his very first protection. The Brooklynite subsequently moved as much as junior welterweight, although he didn’t look like significantly efficient in his new weight class. Until this previous weekend at Madison Square Garden, that’s.
Taylor, the defending WBO and lineal junior welterweight titlist, was anticipated by many to stroll out of the ring victorious after going through Lopez on Saturday. He could have been going through Lopez in his house city, however Lopez, so the argument went, was too erratic, too preoccupied with private issues, and admittedly not all that scorching a performer at junior welterweight. To argue Lopez proved the naysayers fallacious can be an understatement. For Lopez not solely defeated Taylor this previous weekend, he took the beforehand undefeated Scotsman to high school. Even Taylor himself admitted afterwards that he had no excuses.
After beginning off nicely sufficient, the defending champion proved to be slower, much less highly effective and just about much less expert than his hungry challenger. Lopez hit his man clear again and again. The actuality is that Lopez not solely defeated Taylor on Saturday evening – he actually beat the person up. It was a marvel Taylor truly completed the twelfth and last spherical on his ft. As issues stand, Lopez can now stand to earn some good paydays in opposition to excessive profile opponents like fellow titlist Regis Prograis. Provided he stays retired, nonetheless, nobody can argue that Lopez didn’t step away whereas on the prime of his sport.
